RAF Mildenhall firefighters teach fire safety to local students

A young student from the Great Heath Academy tries on firefighter gear from RAF Mildenhall, March 27, 2018. The firefighters showed the children what their gear is used for, explained how it protects them and allowed the children to try on the gear. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexandria Lee)

U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Cody Williams, 100th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department station captain, helps a young student from Great Heath Academy try on firefighter equipment in Mildenhall, England, March 27, 2018. The firefighters showed the children what their gear is used for, explained how it protects them, and allowed the children to try on the gear. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexandria Lee)

U. S. Air Force Airmen 1st Class Levi Brakenwagon and Isaiah Gwaltney, both 100th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters, help a primary school student as he tries on a set of bunkers during a school visit at Great Heath Academy in Mildenhall, England, March 27, 2018. The firefighters participate in several volunteer events throughout the year at schools in the local community, focusing on educating children on fire safety. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexandria Lee)

Sparky the Fire Dog, 100th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department mascot, greets young students from the Great Heath Academy in Mildenhall, England, March 27, 2018. The firefighters showed the children what their gear is used for, explained how it protects them, and allowed the children to try on the gear. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexandria Lee)

A young student from Great Heath Academy tries on firefighter gear from the 100th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department during a school visit in Mildenhall, England, March 27, 2018. The firefighters showed the children what their gear is used for, explained how it protects them and allowed the children to try on the gear. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexandria Lee)

RAF MILDENHALL, England --
Firefighters assigned to the 100th Civil Engineer Squadron visited primary school children at Great Heath Academy in Mildenhall to teach them about fire safety and prevention March 27.

A group of 90 children aged 5 to 6 met RAF Mildenhall firefighters and Sparky the Fire Dog. The firefighters attend several volunteer events throughout the year with local schools, focusing on educating children on fire safety, and always including their friend Sparky.

“We try to schedule our trips to coincide with the students learning about fire emergency services,” said Staff Sgt. Jacob Urry, 100th CES Fire Department crew chief. “When we talk to the children, we want to show them what we are able to do, how we fight fires and why we do it.”

As the firefighters showed the children what the protective gear is used for and how it protects them, the young students had the opportunity to try on the equipment.

The firefighters try to focus most of their volunteer efforts in October during Fire Prevention Week, to reinforce what children are learning in school.

“If the schools can’t come to the base, we go to them; they contact us and ask us to come teach their students,” said Staff Sgt. Ryan Lewis. “This is one of our favorite things to do in our off time.”